OpenAI
Robotics
SeniorActuatorDesignandIntegrationEngineer
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“Senior Actuator Design and Integration Engineer at OpenAI. Skills: Actuator design, System integration, Robotic systems. Lead actuator architecture, design, integration. Define actuator requirements and trade studies”
What You'll Achieve.
Improve peoples’ lives; Enable the next generation of intelligent robotic systems
Industry & Context.
Analyze test data to identify limitations, failure modes, and opportunities for design improvement; Balancing actuator-level optimization with overall robot integration needs; Move fluidly between first-principles analysis, rapid prototyping, and production-oriented engineering decisions
In-person presence 4 days a week
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Mechatronics, or a related field, 7+ years of experience designing electromechanical systems, robotic actuators, or precision mechatronic hardware, Experience developing actuators for robotics, automation, aerospace, automotive, or other high-performance dynamic systems, understanding of motors, transmissions, bearings, encoders, structural design, thermal management, and precision mechanical integration, Familiarity with actuator sensing architectures, including encoder integration and calibration strategies, Experience designing for prototype and production manufacturing processes including machining, casting, molding, and assembly, Proficiency with CAD and PLM tools such as NX and Teamcenter or equivalent systems, Experience developing validation plans, reliability testing, and failure analysis workflows
Nice to Have
Experience scaling hardware systems from prototype through EVT/DVT/PVT and into production is a plus
What You'll Do.
Lead actuator architecture
Define actuator requirements and trade studies
Design precision electromechanical assemblies
Drive actuator integration into robotic systems
Develop and evaluate architectures with sensing
Build and validate prototypes
Develop test methodologies and infrastructure
Analyze test data for improvements
Collaborate with manufacturing and suppliers
Contribute to actuator sourcing strategy
Establish engineering standards and practices
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Partnering closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, firmware, reliability, and manufacturing teams; Partnering closely with controls, firmware, electrical, and robotics software teams; Collaborate with manufacturing and supplier partners; Communicate clearly across disciplines; Collaborate effectively with research, controls, manufacturing, and operations teams
Communication Scope
Communicate clearly across disciplines
Full Job Description
About the Team Our Robotics team is focused on unlocking general-purpose robotics and pushing towards AGI-level intelligence in dynamic, real-world settings. Working across the entire model stack, we integrate cutting-edge hardware and software to explore a broad range of robotic form factors. We strive to seamlessly blend high-level AI capabilities with the constraints of physical systems to improve peoples’ lives. About the Role We are seeking a Senior Actuator Design and Integration Engineer to lead the development of custom electromechanical actuators for advanced robotic systems. You will own actuator development from early architecture and concept generation through prototype validation and system integration, partnering closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, firmware, reliability, and manufacturing teams. This role focuses on the design, integration, and validation of precision electromechanical systems, including motors, transmissions, sensing, structural components, and thermal architectures. You will help drive actuator development across the full engineering lifecycle while establishing scalable design, test, and integration practices for future robotic platforms. This role is based in San Francisco, CA, and requires in-person presence 4 days a week. In this role, you will - Lead the architecture, design, and integration of custom robotic actuators, including motors, transmissions, sensing, thermal systems, structural components, and packaging. - Define actuator requirements and system-level trade studies around torque density, bandwidth, efficiency, thermal performance, backdrivability, inertia, reliability, manufacturability, and cost. - Design precision electromechanical assemblies with strong attention to tolerances, alignment, load paths, thermal expansion, sealing, wear, and serviceability. - Drive actuator integration into robotic systems, partnering closely with controls, firmware, electrical, and robotics software teams to optimize closed
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